The panel sessions on Wednesday 5 December will discuss the difference between academic freedom and academic autonomy; how universities should protect their academic autonomy and the threats to academic freedom.

Professor Schmidt said ANU is taking a leading role in guiding the debate around academic freedom, as the national university and a leading institution in the higher education sector.

"Freedom of speech and universities' role in supporting and protecting that principle have been topics of significant debate this year, and ANU has been a focal point of some of these discussions," Professor Schmidt said.

"But most of the debate has lacked nuance, and poorly treated the relationship between freedom of speech with issues of academic freedom, academic autonomy and academic integrity.

"The summit will take a deep dive into all these issues with a diverse set of participants from across several sectors," Professor Schmidt said.